Mockingjay
I realize this is ridiculous considering that I just read The Hunger Games a few days ago, BUT, I just finished Mockingjay and I feel disappointed. There were definite peaks in the plot for me: namely a few twists and the deaths of some very likeable characters. Despite the poignancy of killing of some of an audience’s favorite characters (which I especially appreciate after reading the horrendous Twilight saga in which NO ONE DIES and NOTHING EVER ACTUALLY HAPPENS and there is only talking and school and talking, which I can have any day without having to read the word “twilight” in weird contexts over and over again), there are a few qualms with Mockingjay I cannot aquiesce.
I really wanted to like this book because I thoroughly enjoyed the first two. I enjoyed the foreshadowing that was not always too transparent, the symbolism (bread, fire, the woods etc.), and the sense of adventure in every part of the story. I enjoy reading about things as they are happening: I do NOT enjoy reading an account of an account of an account of an adventure.
Despite getting a sense of closure out of Mockingjay, I cannot forgive Collins for using this line: “Crazy Cat becomes a metaphor for my situation.”
Okay, this line becomes a metaphor for this book compared to the other books. Do not explain metaphors to me. If I miss the metaphor that is not your fault. Unless I’m reading something snarky, I hate the breach of the fourth wall.
Despite the ending that dribbles off, the casualties made this book worth reading. I’m glad I read it, it made me feel something, but it was no Hunger Games.
EDIT: Okay, this is the last Twilight reference for a while, I swear. The metaphor thing that drove me bonkers reminds me of something that Stephanie Meyer wrote in Breaking Dawn: she introduces a bunch of vampires, and then has Jacob say something along the lines of, “Oh gosh darn, this is so confusing I wish there was an index cataloging all their names.” Not only IS THERE ACTUALLY AN INDEX in the back of the book, but in the Kindle version of Breaking Dawn, the word “index” in Jacob’s sentence has a little asterisk next to it and LINKS TO THE INDEX IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK.
I mean COME ON, no one needs to write a parody of this book because it is a parody of itself.
